Provincial Apex Committee decides to take more effective steps for the implementation of NAP

Lahore: The 6^th meeting of Provincial Apex Committee presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif continued for more than three and a half hours.

Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Naveed Zaman, Provincial Minister Col. Retd. Shuja Khanzada, Chief Secretary, DG Rangers Punjab Maj. Gen. Umer Farooq Barki, General Officer Commanding 10-Div Maj. Gen. Sardar Tariq Aman, Inspector General Police Punjab, Provincial Home Secretary and senior civil and military officers attended the meeting.

Provincial Apex Committee expressed satisfaction over the measures taken under National Action Plan in Punjab for the elimination of terrorism and appreciated the performance of Punjab government and law enforcement agencies regarding recent successful action against terrorists and their facilitators.

It was stated in the meeting that Punjab government led by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and law enforcement agencies have speedily implemented National Action Plan and taken effective measures, the positive results for which are being witnessed and performance of Punjab government in this regard is commendable.

Detailed briefing was also given in the meeting regarding various steps taken in Punjab under National Action Plan for the eradication of terrorism.

The meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee expressed satisfaction over the measures taken in the province under National Action Plan for eliminating terrorism while the performance of Punjab government and law enforcement agencies regarding recent successful operations against terrorists and their facilitators was also appreciated.

The meeting decided to take more effective steps speedily for the implementation of National Action Plan. Provincial Apex Committee also expressed determination for the complete elimination of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism. It was also decided that there will be ban on collection of Zakat and Fitrana by the banned organizations and no such organization will be allowed to collect Zakat and Fitrana. Similarly, activities of banned organizations will be completely controlled. It was also decided that indiscriminate crackdown will be carried out against terrorists and the facilitators of extremists as well as those providing them financial assistance.

Addressing the meeting of Provincial Apex Committee, Shahbaz Sharif said that National Action Plan reflects the national determination for elimination of terrorism. He said that federal and provincial governments are taking action under National Action Plan with complete coordination and the whole nation has decided to eliminate terrorism. He said that successful operation of Pak army against terrorists, Operation Zarb-e-Azb is continuing with full force and the enemies of the country are being brought to their logical end through Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

He said that Pak army has written a new history of courage and bravery in the war against terrorism. He said that besides officers and jawans of Pak army, police, security institutions, all segments of the society including children have rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Shahbaz Sharif said that the war against terrorism is the war for the survival of the country and the whole nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with Pak army. He said that this war will continue till elimination of every terrorist from the country and the country will be rid of terrorists and the war against terrorism will be brought to its logical end. He said that terrorists and their facilitators will find no place to hide in Pakistan.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab government has taken effective measures under National Action Plan for the elimination of terrorism. He said that Counter Terrorism Force has been set up in the province and it has been imparted modern training. He said that the ban on wall chalking, use of loudspeakers, provocative speeches and publication and distribution of literature based on religious hatred is being strictly implemented and punishments has been increased for these offences through carrying out legislation.

Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Naveed Zaman said that indiscriminate action against network of terrorists, their facilitators and those providing them financial assistance will be continued. A detailed briefing was also given to the meeting regarding the steps taken in the province under National Action Plan against terrorism.

Earlier, Corps Commander Lahore Lt. Gen. Naveed Zaman met Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Matters of mutual interest, professional affairs and the steps taken under National Action Plan against terrorism were discussed in the meeting. The Chief Minister paid tributes to supreme sacrifices of the officers and jawans of Pak Army in the war against terrorism.